‘Angry Birds’ Pic Makes It Home at Sony; sets July 1, 2016 Bow

Rovio Entertainment will develop, produce and finance the movie

Sony Pictures has won the worldwide distribution rights on the upcoming “Angry Birds” animated movie and has set a July 1, 2016 release.

The 3D film is being developed, produced, and financed by Rovio Entertainment, the creator of the original app. “Despicable Me” producer John Cohen will produce with David Maisel exec producing.

First appearing as a mobile app in 2009, “Angry Birds” has since expanded its business to entertainment, publishing, and licensing and is still the number one most downloaded app of all time.

“Every studio in town would love to add Angry Birds to their slate,” Sony’s Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and Sony’s Co-Chairman Amy Pascal said in a joint statement. ” There are few titles out there that bring this kind of excitement, brand awareness and built-in audience to the table.”

As for Rovio, the pic will mark the companies first feature though they have helped produce the weekly animated series, which premiered in March. The series was launched through its Angry Birds apps as well as on select video-on-demand channel providers, Smart TVs, connected devices, and on select TV networks around the world.